Author: Adnan Alam

Feds OK state plan to expand KidsCare eligibility, pay parent caregivers

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-KidsCare Expands,820 words.
  • 3 photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – State officials said Tuesday they have been given federal approval to expand income eligibility for the state’s KidsCare program, a change that could add 10,000 children to the low-cost health care program run by the state.

They also said they got the green light to make permanent what started as a pandemic-era program to compensate parents who act as caregivers for their disabled children. Continue reading “Feds OK state plan to expand KidsCare eligibility, pay parent caregivers”

Chub snub? Advocates question plan to protect threatened Colorado River fish

by Adnan Alam

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  • Slug: BC-CNS-Chub Snub. 530 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Alex Hager
KUNC

Federal water managers proposed a new plan to protect native fish species in the Grand Canyon, but conservation groups say it does not go far enough.

The native species at issue is the humpback chub, which is found nowhere on earth besides the Colorado River and its tributaries. Decades after it was declared an endangered species, conservation efforts had allowed its populations to recover to the point that the fish could upgraded to “threatened” in 2021.

Continue reading “Chub snub? Advocates question plan to protect threatened Colorado River fish”

Safety first: USA Hockey’s youth neck guard mandate receives positive response in Arizona after tragic incidents

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Hockey Neckguard. 790 words.
  • Photo available.

By Josh Jones
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Hockey and its relationship with neck guards has been a point of debate among all levels of hockey for years, but it is now a reality in youth hockey.

USA Hockey established a mandate on Jan. 28 for all players 18 and under to wear neck guards beginning on Aug. 1. The discussion became a hot topic after the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson in the Elite Ice Hockey League on Oct. 28, when an opposing player collided with Johnson and struck his neck with his skate.

The tragedy triggered an influx of debate about requiring that neck guards be worn at all levels of hockey. Youth hockey understandably was at the forefront of conversation. There were 387,910 youth hockey players registered with USA Hockey in 2022-23.

Continue reading “Safety first: USA Hockey’s youth neck guard mandate receives positive response in Arizona after tragic incidents”

Building dreams: Phoenix Rising FC paving way for Arizona’s soccer future, one youth player at a time

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Rising Youth. 890 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brevan Branscum
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC’s USL championship brought home one of the most prized national achievements for American soccer, however, the gem of Arizona soccer lies not with the team itself, but within the organization’s comprehensive youth league where homegrown players are developed into professional athletes.

Phoenix Rising FC Youth Soccer is a league that coaches and develops young soccer players in recreational and competitive programs, with each side having over 3,000 boys and girls participating. It is the largest soccer club in Arizona, spread over six different geographic regions, with participants playing in leagues, events and tournaments in and out of state.

Continue reading “Building dreams: Phoenix Rising FC paving way for Arizona’s soccer future, one youth player at a time”

‘It’s home’: Desireé Reed-Francois introduced as University of Arizona’s athletic director

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona AD. 980 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Anthony Remedios
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Less than a month after parting ways with Dave Heeke, the University of Arizona introduced alum Desireé Reed-Francois as its new director of athletics Tuesday.

Making history as the first female full-time AD in the university’s storied history, Reed-Francois has served in leadership roles in collegiate athletics for more than a decade, most recently as Missouri’s athletic director since 2021.

Continue reading “‘It’s home’: Desireé Reed-Francois introduced as University of Arizona’s athletic director”

Insider look: Freshman forward Hunter Friesen takes viewers behind the scenes of ASU club hockey on YouTube

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Friesen Feature. 970 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

TEMPE — The life of an athlete is quite different from that of a regular college student.

In addition to keeping their grades up, young adults must also adhere to strict training regimens to stay in peak shape. It’s a routine that most people don’t fully understand, mainly due to a lack of exposure and insight into the day-to-day life of a collegiate athlete.

However, with the rise of social media, these stories are being unearthed more and more. Over 60% of adults aged 18-29 use popular content creation platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, according to the Pew Research Center. One athlete who began using social media to share his experiences is Hunter Friesen, a freshman forward on Arizona State’s Division I club hockey team who posts his content on a personal YouTube channel.

Continue reading “Insider look: Freshman forward Hunter Friesen takes viewers behind the scenes of ASU club hockey on YouTube”

House panel advances GOP plan to check citizenship of welfare recipients

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-E-Verify Expansion,550 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Reagan Priest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona Republicans want to make it harder for undocumented immigrants to receive state benefits, and they plan to bypass the governor to do so.

The House Appropriations Committee, on a party-line vote, gave preliminary approval to House Speaker Ben Toma’s proposal to require cities, towns and agencies to use E-Verify to check the citizenship status of anyone applying for public welfare benefits or a license of any kind. Continue reading “House panel advances GOP plan to check citizenship of welfare recipients”

Freak hand injury (again) means ASU baseball starts season without Nick McLain

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Baseball McLain Injury, 900 words
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Sammy Nute
Cronkite News

TEMPE – One thing Arizona State baseball fans have long awaited for 2024 was contributions from redshirt sophomore Nick McLain. The third brother of the ultra-talented McLain family – one that already has sent two brothers to professional baseball – was on the cusp of his first full season with ASU after a pitch broke his right hamate bone before the start of last year.

However, in some sort of twisted form of deja vu, ASU manager Willie Bloomquist announced recently that the outfielder sustained the same injury, this time on his left hand.

“We’re hoping to get him back by conference play (beginning May 21) if all goes well, or maybe a week prior if things go really well,” Bloomquist said. “I’d say it’s one of those freak accidents, but in this case, it’s twice.” Continue reading “Freak hand injury (again) means ASU baseball starts season without Nick McLain”

Phoenix Suns seal deal on G League team for 2024-25 NBA season

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns G League Team, 900 words
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Hayden Cilley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – From a new $100 million practice facility for the Phoenix Mercury to the assembly of Suns Live, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia continues to establish his seal on the franchise more than one year into his tenure.

In his latest move Wednesday, the Suns announced the organization acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team starting during the 2024-25 NBA season. The public will decide the team’s name through a contest and it will be located in Phoenix.

Before the move, Phoenix was the only team in the NBA without a G League affiliate after selling the Northern Arizona Suns in 2021 to the Detroit Pistons, who rebranded the team to the Motor City Cruise. Ishbia put this acquisition at the top of his to-do list from the moment he became owner. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns seal deal on G League team for 2024-25 NBA season”

Midseason Ukrainian additions to GCU’s club hockey team take on college-athlete life amid war at home

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-GCU Hockey Ukraine Players, 800 words
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Connor Manning
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Most freshmen hockey players who walk through the doors at Grand Canyon University are welcomed to the 74-year-old university with beautiful weather and an opportunity to represent their school for four years in the Arizona Collegiate Hockey Association.

The incoming class each year almost always has their parents present, or at least close enough to call for any help as they get acclimated to a whole new world of college life. Students come to GCU from all over the United States and even from the great white north, Canada.

Then there are those who have traveled 6,200 miles from a war-torn Ukraine. The phone calls they make are beyond nerve-wracking. Continue reading “Midseason Ukrainian additions to GCU’s club hockey team take on college-athlete life amid war at home”

House panel advances bill for a Holocaust center, but holds back funds for now

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Holocaust Center,690 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Martin Dreyfuss
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A House panel gave tentative approval Wednesday to a Holocaust education center, but not before stripping out funding for the project that supporters said will provide an “immersive experience for the next generation on hate and genocide.”

Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee, mindful of the current budget shortfall, stripped out $10 million in state funding that was called for in the bill. But committee members, who overwhelmingly approved the amended bill, said they are confident they will be able to fill in a number as the session progresses. Continue reading “House panel advances bill for a Holocaust center, but holds back funds for now”

Prescott’s tennis phenom: The rise of Andrew Bogdanov and his paralympic dreams

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Bogdanov Wheelchair Tennis, 2,600 words
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By David Bernauer
Cronkite News

PRESCOTT – Prescott is not the first place you’d expect to find one of the world’s top tennis players, but it’s within the tri-cities area nestled between the mountains where you’ll find Andrew Bogdanov. It’s here on the courts of Prescott High School where the No. 2-ranked quad tennis player in the U.S. and No. 22 in the world perfects his craft. When he started less than three years ago, Bogdanov could have never imagined the heights he would reach with just a ball and a racket.

To start this January morning, Bogdanov arrives at the New Horizons Disability Empowerment Center where he serves as the fitness coordinator, running a gym fashioned with equipment for both able-bodied and disabled people. As he shows off the facility, his girlfriend, Sharon Hemerka, arrives and gives restaurant recommendations for lunch in the afternoon.

She then hops on a treadmill as Bogdanov recalls the snowboarding accident 10 years ago that left him paralyzed from the chest down and how far he has come since then. Continue reading “Prescott’s tennis phenom: The rise of Andrew Bogdanov and his paralympic dreams”

Arizona Diamondbacks retake field for first time since World Series appearance

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Pitchers Catchers, 640 words
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Josh Amick
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Just three months ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks watched the Texas Rangers clinch a World Series title on their home field.

Today, the Diamondbacks look to close the chapter on last year’s success and shift their focus to 2024 as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training at Salt River Fields.

“It’s like waking up for the first day of school,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It’s day one of spring training, we all know what that means and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get out there and be around the guys.” Continue reading “Arizona Diamondbacks retake field for first time since World Series appearance”

From the Valley to the beach: UCLA volleyball player Reagan Hope is a not-to-miss player

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Reagan Hope Beach Volleyball, 970 words
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Delanie Todd
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – UCLA women’s beach volleyball player Reagan Hope is a dual threat. She’s also 6-feet-2, ambidextrous and seemingly born to the game.

Her skills will be on display Feb. 22, when the Bruins kick off their season. Their early schedule includes a game at Arizona State March 8.

After graduating from Northwest Christian High School in Phoenix, where the Arizona native was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball, Hope knew the sport was as much a part of her DNA as her lyrical name. She was literally raised near a court, doing her school work as a child on the sidelines while her mother coached the high school team. Continue reading “From the Valley to the beach: UCLA volleyball player Reagan Hope is a not-to-miss player”

Baseball is almost back: Surprise gears up for busy spring as World Series champion Texas Rangers arrive

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Surprise Spring Training Expectations, 815 words
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By James Lotts
Cronkite News

SURPRISE – The city of Surprise is suiting up for the convoy of fans who make their way to Arizona every spring to celebrate the return of Major League Baseball. This time, however, the World Series champions will be calling it home and the city expects that to bring a larger-than-usual influx of visitors.

The Texas Rangers, who share the Surprise baseball facility with the Kansas City Royals, pulled off an unexpected run to the 2023 World Series, where they bested the Arizona Diamondbacks in a comfortable 4-1 fashion.

Kendra Pettis, sports and tourism director for Surprise, recognizes how important it is for not only the state but for the city to host the World Series champions. Continue reading “Baseball is almost back: Surprise gears up for busy spring as World Series champion Texas Rangers arrive”

NCAA sets forth plan to extend protection for athletes with new Post-Eligibility Insurance Program

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-NCAA Insurance Athletes, 630 words
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Jesse Brawders
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For college athletes, incurring an injury while at a practice or in a game is one of the worst fears imaginable, and yet, it is incredibly common due to the nature of sports. And the effects of an injury can linger beyond an athlete’s eligibility.

At the NCAA Convention in Phoenix recently, the association previewed a new Post-Eligibility Insurance Program that will help address that issue, providing injured athletes additional support.

The panel, led by new NCAA Director of Insurance Liz Schneckenburger, opened the floor to athletic trainers, directors and commissioners to learn more about the upcoming program. It goes into effect on Aug. 1, and will be used in Division I, II and III. Continue reading “NCAA sets forth plan to extend protection for athletes with new Post-Eligibility Insurance Program”

Phoenix Mercury’s bold shake-up signals win-now mentality under new regime

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Mercury Offseason Outlook, 1,275 words
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After enduring a 9-31 record last season, the Phoenix Mercury could have opted to go into rebuild mode, but the team’s new regime made it clear this month that they instead have adopted a win-now strategy.

The Mercury fired head coach Vanessa Nygaard after 12 games in June 2023, so there is new leadership after the team’s second-worst season in franchise history. Owner Matt Ishbia bought the team in February 2023 and hired general manager Nick U’Ren in July as well as head coach Nate Tibbetts later in the year, so this is the first full offseason for the new regime to make its imprint before the season begins on May 14.

Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham is already seeing the impact the changes are making to the team. Continue reading “Phoenix Mercury’s bold shake-up signals win-now mentality under new regime”

State of Indian Nations is good, but could be better, speakers say

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Tribal Nations,740 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Tribal nations are seeing themselves represented more than ever before in the government, but they still need to make their voices heard more loudly at the ballot box, the president of the National Congress of American Indians said Monday.

NCAI President Mark Macarro’s comments came as part of the annual State of Indian Nations address, that included comments from tribal youth and congressional response from Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska.

Macarro, making his first such address as president, called for more stable health care funding and improved resources for tribal police – but he repeatedly turned to the need for ballot access, mentioning the issue multiple times during a nearly 30-minute address. Continue reading “State of Indian Nations is good, but could be better, speakers say”

Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture teaches next generation farmers sustainable practices

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Next Gen Farmers,950 words.
  • 6 photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Lauren Kobley
Cronkite News

AJO – Jesse Garcia was first introduced to farming in his grandmother’s garden. As a child, he recalls not quite understanding the true purpose of growing and how important it is.

It was in high school that he first started taking an interest in farming and agriculture. After graduating, he had a number of jobs, but he did not feel passionate about any of them. It was then that he found the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Arizona farmers are aging. With a hope to sustain farming practices in the state, particularly within Indigenous communities, the co-executive directors of Ajo CSA, Sterling Johnson and Nina Sajovec, are training the next generation of growers through their beginning farmer apprenticeship program. Continue reading “Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture teaches next generation farmers sustainable practices”

‘It was Saturday at the Phoenix Open’: Gassed golfers, pressed patrons highlight chaotic Day 3

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Saturday Phoenix Open Bedlam, 950 words
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, caption below)

By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Often a sunny escape from the chilly early events of the PGA Tour, the WM Phoenix Open has not delivered such favorable conditions in 2024. All three days of play have been delayed by inclement weather, forcing nearly half of the tournament’s competitors to finish their second round Saturday.

After Mother Nature made her name known at TPC Scottsdale in recent days, it was the raucous fans’ turn to take the headlines in all the wrong ways.

As play was mostly uninterrupted Saturday, the famous fan experience was another matter, as an overflow of general admission ticket sales caused a temporary closure of the gates in the afternoon, keeping hundreds of fans from entering in an unprecedented move by Thunderbirds Charities, the organizers of the Phoenix Open, and the PGA. Continue reading “‘It was Saturday at the Phoenix Open’: Gassed golfers, pressed patrons highlight chaotic Day 3”